Comprising A Load Gripping Element Patents (Class 198/470.1)
  • Publication number: 20140305770
    Abstract: The present invention provides a transport member for transporting strip-like elements to be treated in a bath. The transport member is provided with a horizontally oriented endless carrier belt with resilient wire-like clamping members attached thereto by means of their own resilience for the purpose of clamping the strip-like elements at the position of wire ends of the clamping members. Wire ends of adjacent clamping members are provided opposite each other for clamping the strip-like elements therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: Peter Jacobus Gerardus Loermans
  • Patent number: 8851881
    Abstract: Ovens for preforms in plastic material, applicable in particular but not exclusively to blowing machines and stretch blowing machines, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: SMI S.p.A.
    Inventor: Vanni Zacche
  • Patent number: 8844708
    Abstract: A device for transferring fittings having at least two gripper units offset in the circumferential direction around a transfer axis of a transfer station. Each gripper unit can be activated in a clocked manner, whereby each gripper unit takes over from a feeder, via a movement around the transfer axis generated by an electric servomotor, at least one container fitting individually from a moving take-over position of a feeder and transfers it through the transfer station to a moving hand-over position offset in the circumferential direction of the transfer station. The gripper units are arranged such that they move around the transfer axis relative to one another. The transfer station includes the electric servomotors as drive motors of the gripper units for generating within one full revolution of each gripper unit individually periodically non-uniform movements of the gripper units in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Horst Winter, Heinz Humele, Volker Kronseder, Hartmut Davidson, Josef Scheck
  • Patent number: 8833824
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a bottle clamp having first and second clamp arms extending beyond respective first and second pivot axes. The clamp arms are held in a closed position. A rotatable locking element part is provided on an extension region of the first clamp arm, and a fixed locking element part is provided on an extension region of the second clamp arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Fahldieck
  • Patent number: 8820513
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of transferring discrete articles from or to a moving carrier member using a transfer assembly. The transfer assembly comprises a frame defining a rotation axis and a transfer member comprising a transfer surface configured to receive one of the discrete articles. The method comprises rotating the transfer member about the rotation axis and maintaining the transfer surface at a substantially constant minimum distance away from the moving carrier member at the point of discrete article transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Clifford Theodore Papsdorf, Uwe Schneider
  • Patent number: 8813949
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for transferring flexible flat objects, in particular printed products, between two conveyers wherein the apparatus includes a first gripper conveyor having first grippers moved along a first gripper conveying path for the substantially suspended transport of the objects in a conveyor device by seizing a first object edge, a second gripper conveyor having second grippers moved along a second gripper conveying path for receiving the objects by seizing a second object edge located opposite of the first object edge, at least one actuating apparatus for opening and closing the first and second grippers such that a transfer of the objects from the first grippers to the second grippers can take place in a transfer region. At least one auxiliary conveyor including auxiliary grippers carried along an auxiliary conveyor conveying path together with the first grippers is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Claudio Berni
  • Publication number: 20140231221
    Abstract: A tire conveyance device is provided with at least two tire gripping devices spaced from each other at an interval in a front-rear direction and capable of gripping a horizontally situated tire from left and right sides of the tire in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance path along which the tire is conveyed in the front-rear direction. The front and rear tire gripping units are each provided with a pair of left and right tire support mechanisms facing each other across the conveyance path. The tire conveyance unit is also provided with a drive unit which moves the two tire gripping units together in the front-rear direction with a stroke equal to the interval between the two tire gripping devices in the front-rear direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: YAMATO SCALE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichi Miyazaki, Kazuo Nakayama, Takaaki Ito, Masato Kitamoto, Takefumi Miyake
  • Patent number: 8794424
    Abstract: An apparatus for conveying and discharging flat, preferably flexible articles, in particular printed products, the apparatus including a plurality of grippers which can be moved in a conveying direction (F) along a continuous conveying path (U) defined by a conveying mechanism. The grippers include a first gripper jaw and a second gripper jaw, which can assume a clamping position and an open position relative to one another. The first gripper jaw is longer than the second gripper jaw and includes a first gripper part, which in the clamping position interacts with the second gripper jaw, and a second gripper part, which in the clamping position projects beyond the second gripper jaw. The orientation of the first and second gripper parts of the first gripper jaw relative to one another is variable and can be adjusted by a control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Hans Ulrich Stauber
  • Patent number: 8794425
    Abstract: An apparatus for gripping a PET bottle in a bottling plant includes gripper arms and a holding element for holding the gripper arms. The holding element is mounted to deflect by rotating around a vertical axis. The apparatus also includes a centering device that forces the gripper arms back into a centered position after a deflection thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Fahldieck
  • Patent number: 8776988
    Abstract: A transfer apparatus for transferring an item includes a rail (3) forming an endless track (4) along which the item (100) is transferred, a transporter (41, 42) which is movable along the rail and includes at least one gripper (10) for gripping the item, a driver (7) for moving the transporter along the rail, wherein the transporter includes at least two carriers (8) engaging the rail and located at a distance from each other, neighboring carriers are coupled to each other by a coupler (9), at least one coupler is carrying at least one gripper, the rail includes a first face (12) and a second face (13), each carrier includes a first engage member (14) and a second engage (15) member (15) engaging the first face (12) and a third engage member (16) engaging the second face (13), the engage members of each carrier are positioned relative to each other such that the engage members form a triangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Sluis Cigar Machinery B.V.
    Inventors: Albert van der Vliet, Jeroen Aart Jan Slobbe, Oscar Slurink
  • Patent number: 8739959
    Abstract: In an arrangement for machining workpieces, with at least a first machining station in which the workpieces are machined during an operating cycle comprising a machining phase and a transport phase, and a transport unit which includes first accommodation structures for the workpieces and via which the workpieces can be supplied to the first machining station during the transport phase, a second machining station is arranged in transport direction after the first machining station in spaced relationship and the first accommodation structure is arranged on the transport unit so as to be movable relative thereto for supplying workpieces to both machining stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Mall + Herlan GmbH
    Inventor: Anton Breil
  • Publication number: 20140130460
    Abstract: An adjustable pouch machine comprises a vertical sealer module forms transverse seals between two plies of a pouch web to partially define a plurality of pouches. Rollers selectively tension and relax the web on the vertically oriented wheel, allowing them to drop away from heated lands on emergency and cycle stops. A filler wheel has a plurality of adjustable gripper units mounted directly thereon for transporting independent separate pouches cut from the pouch web. An adjustable knife is selectively provided with changeable knife hub sets to handle a variety of pouch sizes where a filler wheel alternately first fills and seals pouches in a train. Gear linkage accommodates variation in distance between hubs of different sets. Various embodiments, apparatus and methods are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: R. A Jones & Co. Inc.
    Inventors: Sima Paunesku, Daniel J. Rack, Jeffrey D. Wintring, Richard Allan Roth, II
  • Patent number: 8720670
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a star conveyor (1) and to a gripper device (2) for such a star conveyor or similar conveying unit, comprising gripper arms (4) arranged in a corresponding manner in pairs for gripping and holding a vessel (3) or similar body in a gripped position, wherein the gripper device (2) comprises at least one positioning element (6) that is independent of the gripper arms (4). Said positioning element is designed such that it positions the vessel (3) to be gripped at least along one axis in the gripped position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Tyrolon-Schulnig Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Ludwig Schulnig
  • Patent number: 8714343
    Abstract: There is described container-handling machine comprising a carousel rotatable about an axis and supporting a plurality of holding elements adapted to cooperate with respective containers; and a slip-ring comprising a first rotor rotatable integral with carousel about said axis, and a first stator exchanging, in use, at least one between power and control signals with first rotor and fixed with respect to carousel; container-handling machine further comprises an encoder housed within a cavity defined between first stator and first rotor, adapted to detect at least the angular position of carousel with respect to axis, and comprising a second rotor rotatable integrally with first rotor and a second stator connected to first stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: SIDEL S.p.A. con Socio Unico
    Inventors: Antonio Secchi, Luca De Vincenzi
  • Publication number: 20140110222
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a packaging method comprising the operation of transferring containers to an endless conveyor element moving forward continuously, conveying suspended containers and describing a closed trajectory imposed by a series of rotary diverting elements using to that end a container transferring device assembled on one of the diverting elements of the endless conveyor element, and rotating in a synchronized manner therewith. A device for putting the method into practice comprises a rotary body driving a plurality of clamps guided by mechanisms which can further slow down the displacement of the clamps without changing the rotating speed of the rotary body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: VOLPAK, S.A.U.
    Inventors: Albert PRIETO MALE, Miguel Angel LEON GONZALEZ
  • Publication number: 20140086808
    Abstract: A specimen transport apparatus according to an aspect is provided with a holder which holds a cup-like specimen container accommodating a specimen in an upright position, a chain member disposed along a predetermined transport path, and a supporting portion provided in a predetermined position on the chain member and configured to support the holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: AOI SEIKI, CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Teruaki ITOH
  • Patent number: 8678172
    Abstract: A rotary device (10), especially a transfer star, for the transport of articles (15) from a first processing device (1) to a second processing device (5). The rotary device (10) includes a plurality of gripping devices (60) for gripping and holding of articles (15) that are preferably electronically controlled. The distance between the articles (15) in the first processing device (1), e.g. in a heating unit, is different from the distance between the articles (15) in the second processing device (5), e.g. a blow molding device. An electronic control device (30) is located on top of the rotary device (10). This control device (30) controls the distance between the articles (15) fed into the second processing device (5). A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Klaus Voth
  • Publication number: 20140069775
    Abstract: An article transfer device with a simpler structure is provided which can transfer an article to a proper position. Operation of a first projecting and retracting motor is stopped when torque that is greater than or equal to a first preset value occurs in the first projecting and retracting motor when a first article holder is being projected toward a projected position by operation of the first projecting and retracting motor. And operation of a second projecting and retracting motor is stopped when torque that is greater than or equal to a first preset value occurs in the second projecting and retracting motor when a second article holder is being projected toward a projected position by operation of the second projecting and retracting motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: DAIFUKU CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuichi Ueda, Masashige Iwata, Tsutomu Okazaki, Takashi Nishihara, Kazuhiko Kodera
  • Patent number: 8651265
    Abstract: A conveyor includes a plate with a closed-loop track along which vials are driven in a continuous manner in holders arranged so as to be in free contact with each other in order to form a continuous stream along the track. Each holder includes a horizontal platen (72) to which is connected a plurality of vertical blades (72) forming a ring and capable of elastically moving away from the rotational axis of the platen, the inner surfaces thereof being intended for bearing against the periphery of a vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventors: Joël Vazeille, Patrick Chaigne
  • Patent number: 8646594
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) and a related method for automatic transfer of socks (4) from a linking machine (2) to a sock-modeling piece for boarding operation (36) according to a predetermined orientation, the apparatus comprising reversing means (20) comprising feeding means (21) for picking up the sock (4) from a sewing station (22) of the linking machine and loading means (31) for automatically loading the sock (4) onto the sock-modeling piece, the reversing means (20) comprising a supporting element (23) and at least one pair of lower rollers (24) disposed around said supporting element (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Santoni S.p.A.
    Inventor: Stefano Paterlini
  • Patent number: 8627943
    Abstract: A guide arrangement is provided for guiding movement of a transport member to convey products in a conveying direction of a conveying section having a predetermined course. The transport member includes a number of functional units operatively connected to each other. The guide arrangement includes a number of sequentially connected guide rail elements defining a guide channel along the conveying section. The guide channel has inside walls including structure to guide the transport member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Mueller Martini Holding AG
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Oppliger, Michael Landolt
  • Patent number: 8627945
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container treatment machine for treating containers, especially a labeling machine, comprising a rotor which can be driven to revolve about a vertical machine axis and a plurality of treatment positions configured on the rotor and having at least one container support and a clamping and/or centering unit each. Said unit can be displaced in a controlled manner in a controlled travel movement between an initial position and a position which centers and/or clamps the respective container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Krämer, Oliver Kress, Thomas Stienen
  • Patent number: 8628068
    Abstract: A device for holding a bottom portion of a container in a container-processor installation, the device comprising a support core provided with a stationary abutment for a lateral surface of the bottom portion of a container, and with a shoe mounted to pivot about a substantially horizontal axis between a holding position in which the shoe extends in the vicinity of the abutment to co-operate with the bottom portion of the container, and a disengaged position in which the shoe is retracted to allow the bottom portion of a container to be inserted in the device and to be extracted from the device along a direction that is substantially coplanar with a direction in which the bottom portion of the container bears against the abutment. An installation including such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: SERAC Group
    Inventor: André Jean-Jacques Graffin
  • Patent number: 8607959
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a rotation assembly for a transfer member of a transfer assembly. The rotation assembly comprises a torque transmitting assembly comprising input and output members, a link comprising a first end operably coupled to the input member and a second end comprising a follower member, a shaft comprising a first end operably coupled to the output member and a second end engaged with a portion of the transfer member, and a track. The follower is movably engaged with the track and circumnavigates about a path in correspondence with the track. The follower member is moved radially relative to a first rotation axis by the track as it circumnavigates about the path to transmit torque through the torque transmitting assembly and to the shaft. The torque causes a portion of the transfer member to rotate between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Clifford Theodore Papsdorf, Uwe Schneider
  • Patent number: 8602411
    Abstract: The apparatus for conveying printed products has a feeding device which conveys the printed products to a discharge end. The gripper circulatory path of the gripper conveyor moves with the receiving section past the latter. During movement through the receiving section, the grippers use their gripper mouth to grasp the printed products and convey said products further. If the receiving section is located in the central position with respect to the feeding device, the printed products are grasped centrally and conveyed further. If, by contrast, the receiving section is displaced by means of the adjustment device into a side position, the printed products are grasped eccentrically and guided further.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Marcel Ramseier
  • Publication number: 20130319820
    Abstract: The present invention enables adjustment of a motion range of a workpiece conveying mechanism by a simple configuration. Provided is a workpiece conveying device including a simple motion range adjusting mechanism for conveying workpieces of different sizes. According to one embodiment of the invention, the workpiece conveying device for conveying workpieces includes a workpiece holding mechanism configured to operate to hold and release the workpiece. The workpiece conveying device also includes an actuator equipped with a movable member directly or indirectly connected to the workpiece holding mechanism to drive the workpiece holding mechanism. The workpiece conveying device further includes a stopper device having a male member and a female member, and these male member and female member are configured to engage with each other in at least two different arrangements, thereby defining at least two predefined discontinuous holding positions of the workpiece holding mechanism connected to the movable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroaki NISHIDA
  • Patent number: 8567589
    Abstract: A blow molding machine for containers, having a conveyor path carrying a mandrel holder and pre-forming mandrels attached to the mandrel holders in an exchangeable manner by means of removable couplings, wherein each coupling has a mandrel clamping mechanism and a releasing element accessible form outside that can be adjusted at least relative to the mandrel holder for releasing the clamping mechanism. In the mandrel holder, particularly for use in a blow molding machine, the mandrel clamping mechanism is designed with a ball joint lock, and the ball joint lock can be released by means of a releasing element in order to exchange a performing mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Schonberger
  • Patent number: 8556062
    Abstract: A gripper unit for transport systems for supporting and transporting articles. A gripper unit that includes a gripper head with at least two gripper arms which can be opened and closed against each other. The top of the article to be gripped and to be transported is supported in the opening formed between the gripper arms. A shifting unit is supported in a flexible manner via a fastener directly supported at the transport system. Furthermore, the gripper unit is provided with a device for interchangeable support, adjustment and spatial determination of the gripper head in a first transport direction at the gripper unit. The device provides for the vertical movement of the gripper head contrary to the gripper unit and/or contrary to the transport system, which are arranged between the gripper head and the shifting unit or between the gripper head and the transport system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Christian Stoiber, Thomas Spitzer
  • Patent number: 8556067
    Abstract: The conveyor system for planar products (60), in particular print shop products, features a feeder device (50) as well as a gripper conveyor (10) with a plurality of grippers (12) that move along an orbital track (U), wherein the grippers (12) each include two gripper parts (14, 16) that can be pivoted relative to one another between an open position and a closed position. The relative position of the gripper parts (14, 16) to one another and/or the orientation of the whole gripper (12) in space is a function of its position along the orbital track and is set by at least one control guide (28, 30, 40, 80, 80?) that interacts with the grippers such that the gripper parts (14, 16) can be moved from an open position to a closed position while moving through a transfer area (A) of the orbital track (U) for the transfer of products (60) from the feeder device (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Roberto Fenile
  • Patent number: 8550460
    Abstract: Printed products (10) are conveyed to a transfer portion (22) by means of the grippers (14) of the gripper conveyor (12). The vacuum belt conveyor (26) suctions with its active strand (28) the respective end region (32) of the printed products (10), after which, close to the end of the (34) of the transfer portion (22), the grippers (14) respectively release the printed products (10). The motional path (38) of the gripper jaws (16) runs in the transfer portion (22) in the shape of an arc. The active strand (28) of the vacuum belt conveyor (26) runs in the transfer portion (22) at an approximately constant distance to the motional path (38). In the case of large processing capacities and correspondingly high velocities, a reliably secure, positionally stable transfer of the printed products (10) from the gripper conveyor (12) to the vacuum belt conveyor (26) is thereby ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Claudio Berni
  • Patent number: 8544632
    Abstract: A device (10) for conveying at least one preform (12) in a preform heating unit (12), the conveying device (10) including a conveyor belt which includes at least: a main traction belt (14a) which engages with rotary elements (16a, 16b); and a secondary support belt (14b) which is movably connected to the main belt (14a) by a connecting element (24), and to which at least one support device (34) of at least one preform (12) is attached by an attachment element (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventors: Denis Gillet, Patrice Andreux, Damien Muzzolini
  • Publication number: 20130168206
    Abstract: A device for the transfer of fittings, such as labels during container labelling, having at least two gripper units that are offset in the circumferential direction around a transfer axis of a transfer station whereby it is possible to activate each in a clocked manner, whereby each of said gripper units takes over, via a movement around the transfer axis generated via a drive, a fitting individually from a moving take-over position of a feeder and transfers it through the transfer station to a moving hand-over position that is offset in the circumferential direction of the transfer station, at least two of the gripper units are arranged such that they can be moved around the transfer axis relative to one another, and stationary drive motors are provided for the gripper units that can be moved relative to one another, with which drive motors individually periodically non-uniform movements of the gripper units can be generated in the circumferential direction within one rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventor: KRONES AG
  • Patent number: 8439181
    Abstract: A device having a holder for holding a container such as a bottle of a size and with a second other holder for holding a container such as a bottle of another size. In addition, a method for loading a device with containers such as bottles, whereby the containers of one size are placed in a first holder and the containers of another size are placed in a second other holder to allow easy adjustment to a different size of container without requiring any time-consuming retooling work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Hausladen
  • Patent number: 8442673
    Abstract: The invention relates method for controlling a machine for treating containers (12) as well as for controlling processing and/or treatment stations located downstream from it, wherein the machine has a plurality of turntables (42) that are each driven by a motor and that serve to orient and/or position the containers (12), in which method the motor drives (44) of the turntables (42) are each monitored separately, so that, if an error occurs with one or more of the turntable drives (44), the affected defective turntable drives (44) are deactivated while the machine and/or the stations located downstream continue to be operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Martin Langosch, Joerg Triebel
  • Patent number: 8430232
    Abstract: A conveyor device, in particular for an automatic packaging machine for paper rolls, having a horizontal plane of advance, at least one pair of motorized flexible transmission members extending along a closed loop and bearing a plurality of transverse bars fastened to said flexible transmission members, a plurality of thruster elements borne by said bars, and a stationary adjustment station provided with at least one adjustment assembly having a grip organ movable in transverse direction and arranged in such a way as to displace in the transverse direction along the respective bar a thruster element positioned at the grip organ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: KPL Packaging S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luca Baldanza, Andrea Cinotti, Giuliano Bertusi
  • Patent number: 8430226
    Abstract: A work transfer apparatus includes a holding unit (100) that rotates together with a rotation table (20) as a transferring mechanism intermittently driven to be fed, a lifting and lowering unit (200) for lowering the holding unit in order to transfer a workpiece held by the holding unit onto a processing table (30) as well as lifting the holding unit in order to transfer the workpiece held on the processing table onto the holding unit, and a fixing unit (300) that fixes the workpiece held on the holding unit and releases the workpiece when transferring the workpiece onto the processing table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Hirata Corporation
    Inventors: Naoyuki Tokunaga, Yoshiaki Araki, Hitoshi Tsugawa
  • Patent number: 8413799
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container clamp (2) or container clip provided on conveying elements in container filling installations for receiving the neck of a container, particularly a bottle, each clamp (2) or clip comprising a bearing block (3). The aim of the invention is to protect such installations by special clamping designs so that improper strain would result in the failure of only a single clamp and any further damage to the installations could be avoided. Said aim is achieved in that the bearing block (3) comprises holding elements (8, 9) which detach at least partially from the bearing and holding device (10, 11) when a lateral pivoting range or a lateral force is exceeded, wherein the bearing block (3) or the container clamp (2) or container clip is released to fall on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Renate Bodtländer
  • Publication number: 20130068591
    Abstract: A transfer mechanism for transferring items between one or more input streams and one or more output streams is disclosed. The transfer mechanism comprises a turret, an arm extending from the turret, and a carrier mechanism engaged with the arm. The carrier mechanism comprises a base and a plurality of rods extending from the base. At least one of the rods is movable relative to at least one other rod. The rods are configured to engage void areas in the items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Matthew Bernard Overley, André Mellin, Wesley Bernard Brokopp, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130062163
    Abstract: A device for transporting hollow bodies, includes: at least one element for grasping a hollow body, the element including at least one cam follower (30A) made of an electrically conductive material; at least one fixed cam (32) which is intended to engage with the cam follower (30A), the cam (32) being made of an electrically conductive material; a contact layer (34) which is made of an electrically insulating material and is interposed between the cam (32) and the cam follower (30A); characterized in that the cam follower (30A) is connected to a first electrical signal (P1) whereas the cam (32) is connected to a second electrical signal (P2), a member (36) being positioned so as to detect electrical contact between the cam follower (30A) and the cam (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventors: Denis Turlotte, Yvan Maurovic
  • Publication number: 20130048467
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing thermoformed articles from pre-cut thermoformable billets are provided. The system may include a heating apparatus for heating the billets, a billet thermoformer for thermoforming the billet into an article, a discharge system for evacuated the formed articles from the thermoformer, and an inspection system for inspecting each of the formed articles for the presence of a defect. Conveyors and billet carriers are provided for transporting the billets between the various components of the system, and loaders are provided for loading the billets onto the conveyor and/or billet carriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: PRINTPACK ILLINOIS, INC.
    Inventor: Printpack Illinois, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8378829
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring and/or controlling a transport device (10) wherein a plurality of similar products (17), in particular printed products, such as newspapers, magazines or similar are held in a detachable manner by means of individual clamps (12) that are arranged in a row, one behind the other, and are transported in sequence along a transport path (19). Improved operational reliability and controllability is characterized in that a contract-free read-in or read-out tag (T1-T5, Tn) is provided on the clamps (12), and that a reading-in/reading-out device (30) is disposed in the vicinity of the respective clamp for reading-in or reading-out data in the tags of a clamp (12), and is displaced with the respective clamp (12) over a selected section of the transport path (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Carl Conrad Mäder
  • Publication number: 20130036887
    Abstract: In a system, at least two picker support elements are positioned adjacent a transport surface that is moving workpieces, and at least two picking elements are connected to each of the picker support elements. The picking elements have physical picking features that remove the workpieces from the transport surface and move the workpieces to another location. A controller is operatively connected to the picker support elements and the picking elements, and the controller independently controls the picker support elements and the picking elements to dynamically position the picking elements in coordination with a dynamic size, spacing, and transport speed of the workpieces being moved by the transport surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: KENNETH P. MOORE, Douglas K. Herrmann, Derek A. Bryl, Paul N. Richards, Richard Scarlata
  • Publication number: 20130015040
    Abstract: Device (1) for gripping an object such as a blow-moulding container preform (3), comprising: a guiding body (12); a stop body (13), mounted so as to move axially relative to the guiding body (12) along an axis (4) of the device, intended to be aligned with the object (3) to be gripped; a mandrel support (7), equipped with a gripping mandrel (15), able to move axially relative to the guiding body (12) and having a plunge-in travel (8) going from a set-back position to a plunged-in position in which the mandrel (15) is capable of gripping the object (3). The stop body (13) has, together with the mandrel support (7), a system of support stops (18, 19) arranged so that the mandrel support (7) drives the stop body (13) axially onto a terminal portion of the plunge-in travel (8). The device (1) includes a return means (34, 36) mounted between the guiding body (13) and the stop body, for the purpose of driving the stop body along an axial set-back direction opposite direction of plunge-in travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventors: Julien Leroux, Franck Lacaille, Pascal Bertin, Willy Dujardin
  • Patent number: 8342317
    Abstract: A device and method for transport of flexible, two dimensional products and performance of associated production processing of those products, by which the flexible, two-dimensional products are serially conveyed to a workstation and are conveyed away from the workstation again by the same gripper transporter, which enables the workstation to be selectively removed from the production process being performed along the transport path of the printed products, and to be selectively re-introduced again the transport path, in a flexible manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Heinz Möckli
  • Patent number: 8342315
    Abstract: An apparatus for conveying products to a destination has a revolving conveyor chain embodied by entraining elements revolving along a first continuous track and have a certain chain pitch. A revolving conveying device is disposed with grippers arranged at a distance therebetween on the conveying device revolving around a second continuous track. A first zone of the first and second continuous track transfers products from the first continuous track on the conveyor chain to the second continuous track via the grippers. A second zone of the second continuous track delivers products from the grippers at the destination. A third zone of the first and second continuous track returns products not needed at the destination from the grippers on the second continuous track to the conveyor chain on the first continuous track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Cyrille Fuellemann, Daniel Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8336703
    Abstract: A unit (1) for separating opening devices (2) supplied in the form of a row (7) and to be applied singly to respective sealed packages (3) of pourable food products, the unit having a separating assembly (10), in turn having a first and a second jaw (40, 41) movable along a path (P) and defining a seat (42), which is movable between an open configuration, in which it receives an opening device (2) from the row (7) at a first station (I) along the path (P), and a closed configuration, in which it moves the opening device (2) singly along the path (P) to detach it from the rest of the row (7); the unit (1) also has elastic means (43) for loading at least the first jaw (40) towards the second jaw (41); a conveyor (13) for conveying the opening devices (2), and which is separate from the separating assembly (10); and at least a first cam (61) activated by the conveyor (13) and cooperating cyclically with a cam follower (38), integral with the first jaw (40), to move the first jaw (40), in opposition to the elasti
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Alessandro Pedrazzi, Marco Poppi, Jonas Dickner
  • Patent number: 8327999
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transferring hollow cylindrical objects from a supply unit to a removal unit by providing a transport unit for transferring hollow cylindrical objects between a supply unit and a removal unit, providing at least holding element in the transport unit, positioning the hollow cylindrical object in contact with the at least one holding element at the supply unit wherein the hollow cylindrical object is held by the holding element, moving the transport unit with the hollow cylindrical object from the supply unit to the removal unit, and removing the hollow cylindrical element from the at least one holding element at the removal unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sidel Participations S.A.S.
    Inventors: Franz Klaiber, Peter Novak
  • Patent number: 8322514
    Abstract: An article configuration system comprising a first conveyor (90) for transferring articles (B) from an input and a second conveyor (88), disposed at a non-linear angle relative to the first conveyor, for transferring articles to an output. The article processing system comprises a mechanism (30) for transferring articles from the first conveyor (90) to the second conveyor (88). The mechanism (30) is structured and arranged to facilitate the reorganization of articles conveyed by the first conveyor such that when transferred to the second conveyor the articles are disposed in adjacent metered lanes (124a-124f) and wherein the number of adjacent metered lanes of articles conveyed by the second conveyor (88) is greater than the number of adjacent lanes of articles (100, 102) conveyed by the first conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Bonnain, Pascal Martini
  • Patent number: 8307977
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for conveying vessels of the bottle type, characterized in that it comprises: a primary wheel for conveying the bottles including a plurality of transfer arms; at least two secondary conveying wheels respectively capable of conveying the bottles fed by the primary wheel; the conveying path of the bottles grasped by the clamps of the transfer arms of each secondary wheel being at one point tangential to the conveying path of the bottles grasped by the transfer arms of the primary wheel, whereby the main flow of bottles conveyed by the primary wheel is divided into at least two secondary flows of bottles respectively conveyed by the secondary conveying wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventors: Daniel Nguyen, Stephane Morin, Pierre-Francois Langlois
  • Patent number: 8302760
    Abstract: Device (6) for transferring candy articles, in particular lollipops provided with a stick, from a feed location to an exit location spaced apart therefrom, comprising at least one conveyor with candy article holders (23a, 23b), wherein the device is provided with first operation means for at the location of a reception location (H) at the conveyor setting candy article holders in a receiving position for receiving a stick coming from the feed location and with second operation means for at the location of a discharge location (I) at the conveyor setting the candy article holders in a discharge position for discharging the stick to the exit location, wherein the device is furthermore provided with third operation means (4) positioned between the reception location and the discharge location for, upstream from the discharge location, setting the candy article holders in a discharge position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: CFS Weert B.V.
    Inventor: Leonardus Hermanus Maria Cuypers